Washington, D.C. — Today Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) demanded that the Obama administration stop dragging its feet and release a specific plan to ensure the safety of LGBT athletes and guests attending the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. This had become necessary after the Russian Interior Ministry confirmed it would enforce the country’s anti-gay laws prohibiting “homosexual propaganda” and punish anyone found in violation of the law, followed by a statement by the International Olympic Committee declaring athletes who express opposition to the Russian laws or support for gay individuals could face sanctions under Olympic guidelines.

LCR Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo released the following statement urging the Obama administration to ensure the safety of the LGBT community during the games:

The Russian government’s statement that no one will be discriminated against at the Winter Olympics is nothing more than a hollow assurance from a governmental body that is so anti-gay it has established a law that allows gays — and gay allies — to be harassed, verbally and physically assaulted, and jailed. The International Olympic Committee’s recent threat to punish athletes who declare their support for gay rights with “propaganda” is also shameful, and a sign that the IOC cannot be trusted to guarantee the safety of our athletes and supporters at this critical time.

Americans dumping vodka in the streets and calling for an Olympic boycott are not going to keep anyone who is gay in Russia safe during the Games, but it does show how frustrated our nation is with a President absent of action. President Obama and the State Department need to present a defined plan that guarantees the safety of our nation’s Olympic competitors and pressures the IOC never to put the gay athletes of the world in a situation where their safety is in question ever again.

Documentary filmmakers at Downtown Loft Studio in Fort Lauderdale are seeking LGBT people who attended high school in South Florida between 1976 and 2013.

Here are the details from studio spokesman Donald Cavanaugh:

The award winning filmmakers at Downtown Loft Studio in Fort Lauderdale are producing a documentary on how the academic environment of LGBT students in South Florida schools has changed over the years. The documentary will be shown on television, at film festivals, and distributed worldwide.

If you were gay or perceived to be gay while attending a Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach middle or high school between 1976 and 2013 and would like to share your story of feeling isolated, or even being bullied or assaulted, we would like to hear from you.

The mission of the documentary is to present how the South Florida schools have evolved, and continue to evolve, from the era of Anita Bryant.

Our hope is that the documentary and the personal stories of students and educators contained within our film will heighten awareness of issues that gay students encounter and will help future generations to live free and accepted lifestyles.

For more information or to discuss your story for possible inclusion, please email info@downtownloftstudio.com or call Donald Cavanaugh at 561-543-0373.

About Downtown Loft Studio (DTLS)

DTLS was established in 2007 by Bruce W. Presley, a retired educator and textbook publisher, a gay philanthropist and an advocate for LGBT rights and protections, particularly for gay students and youth who are perceived to be gay.

FORT MEADE, Md. -- Pfc. Bradley Manning took the stand Wednesday at his sentencing hearing in the WikiLeaks case and apologized for hurting his country, pleading with a military judge for a chance to go to college and become a productive citizen.

He addressed the court on a day of often emotional testimony from family members about his troubled childhood and from a psychologist who said Manning felt extreme mental pressure in the "hyper-masculine" military because of his gender-identity disorder — his feeling that he was a woman trapped in a man's body.

Manning eventually came out to Capt. Michael Worsley, emailing the clinical psychologist a photo of himself in a long, blond wig and lipstick. The photo was attached to a letter titled "My problem," in which Manning described his internal struggle and said he had hoped that a military career would "get rid of it."

MIAMI, FL, August 15, 2013 – In light of the County Commission’s withdrawal yesterday of the proposal to add all-inclusive language to the existing countywide Human Rights Ordinance, SAVE Dade Board Chairman Brian Adler commended Commissioners Edmonson, Barreiro, Heyman, and Jordan for their sponsorship of the amendment.

“The fight to achieve an all-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance that protects everyone in Miami-Dade County is just beginning, but we never could have made it this far without the steadfast, principled support from Commissioners Edmonson, Barreiro, Heyman, and Jordan,” said Adler. “I can’t think of a better group of lawmakers to work with on this issue going forward.”

Adler reserved particular praise for Commissioner Edmonson, who brought the proposal to vote before the Health and Social Services Committee this summer. “Commissioner Edmonson has been with us every step of the way,” he said. “She’s a champion on this issue and a dedicated public servant committed to protecting equality for her constituents and everyone in Miami-Dade County.”

“I am proud to take a stand on the issue of civil rights,” said Commissioner Edmonson, “and I look forward to working with SAVE Dade and our community partners to educate the voters and the commissioners, and to pass this critical proposal.”

The organization also hailed the support of its national partners, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and the Human Rights Campaign, as well its statewide partner, Equality Florida, and numerous community partners. “Of course, the real soldiers in this battle are the volunteers making phone calls and knocking on doors day after day,” Deputy Director Maria Barth noted, “and without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Volunteers have helped SAVE Dade collect over 3200 signatures in support of an all-inclusive Human Rights Ordinance. In addition, during over 150 volunteer shifts, they have made over 3300 phone calls to voters and knocked on over 600 voters’ doors. SAVE Dade will continue to work with volunteers as the organization implements an aggressive plan to engage the community on this issue.

MOSCOW -- At least two Swedish athletes at the world championships in Moscow competed with rainbow-colored fingernails Thursday, showing support for gays and lesbians in contrast to Russia's new anti-gay law.

High jumper Emma Green Tregaro posted a picture of her fingers on the social media site Instagram, saying "Nails painted in the colors of the rainbow." She followed that with several hashtags, including "#pride" and "#moscow2013."

"This is to show what I stand for. I think sports are about respecting and tolerating each other, so I thought it was a nice gesture," Green Tregaro told the Swedish news agency TT.

Swedish sprinter Moa Hjelmer also sported rainbow-colored nails when she ran Thursday in the 200-meter heats at Luzhniki Stadium.

"Some teammates have done the same," Sweden team spokesman Fredrik Trahn said. "The federation has not discussed it. It is all up to the athletes."

A rainbow flag is often used as a symbol of gay rights and gay pride.

Green Tregaro, who won a bronze medal at the 2005 world championships, qualified for the final of the women's high jump and will return to the track on Saturday. Hjelmer was eliminated in the heat.

The issue of gay rights has gained increasing attention from Western activists and entertainers since Russia passed an anti-gay law in June. Some have even called for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which will be held in the southern Russian resort of Sochi.

The Russian law does not explicitly ban participation in gay pride parades or the promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality online, but anyone wearing a rainbow flag on the street or writing about gay relationships on Facebook could be accused of propagandizing. Those convicted face fines, as well as possible prison sentences or deportation.

Both the International Olympic Committee and FIFA, which will hold its World Cup in Russia in 2018, have asked the Russian government for more clarification. It remains unclear if the new law will be enforced during the Sochi Olympics or the World Cup.